Zealand Pharma and Roche's amylin drug achieves 9.2% weight loss in Phase 2 trial

Zealand Pharma and Roche announced positive Phase 2 trial results for their experimental amylin-mimicking drug, petrelintide. In a 220-patient study of overweight or obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, the once-weekly treatment achieved up to 9.2% weight loss over 28 weeks and reduced HbA1c levels by up to 0.65%. The companies, which partnered in a 2025 deal worth up to $5.3 billion, have initiated a late-stage trial of petrelintide in approximately 7,000 people to compete with Eli Lilly.

Phase 2 trial results of petrelintide

• ▪In a 220-patient Phase 2 trial, Zealand Pharma and Roche's experimental drug petrelintide achieved 7.4% to 9.2% body weight loss after 28 weeks in overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes, compared to 2% for placebo
• ▪During a 220-patient Phase 2 trial of petrelintide, 1.9% of patients taking the drug discontinued treatment due to gastrointestinal side effects, compared to 1.7% of patients on placebo
• ▪Zealand Pharma and Roche's experimental drug petrelintide lowered HbA1c levels by up to 0.65% in a 220-patient Phase 2 trial, compared to a 0.23% increase in the placebo group

Debatable claims

• ▪Petrelintide's low side-effect rate makes it a superior alternative to existing weight-loss treatments
• ▪Petrelintide is competitive enough to challenge Eli Lilly's dominance in the obesity market